Defending champions Wepesi edged out Kimumu Fan Club (FC) 53-50 in a rip-roaring clash to strengthen their push for the top spot in the Eldoret Basketball League (EBL) 2025-2026 standings, as Longhorns stumbled 41-49 against a seasoned Kapsabet Hawks side.

During the first quarter of the game played at the Uasin Gishu (UG) basketball court in Eldoret City, Wepesi narrowly edged Kimumu FC 14-13, proceeded to bag the second quarter 13-10, nearly tied the third quarter, winning 11-10, but lost the fourth 15-17 to Kimumu FC.

Wepesi team captain Meshack Oloo was outstanding during the closely contested match, netting a high score of 15 points, followed by Elvis Mwangi, who chalked up 13 points and teammate Tambo Nangoli, who scored 11 points, enabling the defending EBL champions to overcome a stubborn Kimumu FC.

Wepesi’s small forward Israel Gathiari, in an interview yesterday with People Sports, stated, “Our goal is to always win every game. Every game matters.”

Gathiari continued, “We will get to the top position in the men’s EBL table standings. And everybody or any team that Wepesi faces comes prepared with its arsenal. We also know that trying to defend the EBL title is not easy. Nonetheless, we will approach every game with the same intensity.”

However, contacted for comment, Longhorns basketball team coach Guang Katir, whose team had occupied the 2025-2026 EBL pole position, said, “I will give my comment about our game against Kapsabet Hawks later.”

Longhorns embarked on their game against Kapsabet Hawks spiritedly, bagging the first quarter 15-8.

However, the team (comprising mostly South Sudanese (SSD) players) narrowly lost the second quarter 12-13, and went down fighting 7-17 and 7-11 respectively in the third and fourth quarters.

Though Coach Katir declined to comment on the outcome, Wepesi’s small forward Gathiari attributed the Longhorns’ loss to a lack of experience against a more seasoned Kapsabet Hawks side.

“Kapsabet Hawks have very experienced players in their stable, and they have been playing together for a long time. So, the players and team chemistry are good; unlike Longhorns, who are mostly youthful, lanky, and tall players that lack leadership during games,” Gathiari explained.

Elsewhere, during the weekend men’s EBL games, Only Jesus Christ Saves (OJCS) Baddies walloped Panthers 58-50 at the UG basketball court, while former 2023-2024 league champions Sirikwa Pentecostal Fellowship (SPF) edged out Moi University’s Maulers basketball team 44-38.

The University of Eldoret (UoE) defeated Mosoriot 45-40, while Kings trounced Team Sunday 59-45 at Holtmann and Kelly Arena basketball court.